Earth Day is April 22, but “going green” offers year-‘round benefits. Our fundamental connection with Mother Nature shows up in some surprising ways. For starters, science has found that simply looking at the color green makes us feel better – a great reason to add more green to our home and furniture decorating schemes.

Rich, deep green conveys luxury as well as health. Expressed in a unique accent piece like the Tolli 3-Drawer Chest, the piece offers storage as well as focal-point drama. Photo: Hooker Furniture.

Big-picture botanicals evoke the complex beauty of nature and add an elegant, Old World touch to a piece like the Treviso Lateral File. Photo: Hooker Furniture.

We’re most refreshed by green in living plants. NASA scientists in the ‘80s found that certain easy-care houseplants filter the air from toxins and allergens and add oxygen.

Peace lilies (in the corner) and snake plants are among easy-care houseplants that clean the air by filtering toxins and allergens and adding oxygen. Try these hardworking beauties around the house. Photo: Home Depot.

Wicker plus tropical print fabric on the Zephyr Recliner evoke the world’s precious rainforests in a sophisticated way. All colors work beautifully with greens, so your style can be preppy, natural or wild. Photo: Sam Moore

Health-conscious desserts can also be part of “going green.” For a fun Earth Day (or any day) celebration, consider this delectable Paleo Sweets Cookbook recipe for Vanilla Cake with Green Tea Icing. Amazingly, it’s free of refined sugar, dairy and gluten.